Four high courts set for new leadership as SC collegium makes recommendations

The Supreme Court collegium has recommended the elevation of four judges as Chief Justices of different high courts, paving the way for new leadership.

The collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, took the decisions at its meeting on August 6.

Justice V Kameswar Rao, currently serving at the Delhi High Court, has been recommended as the next Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. Justice Ravindra V Ghuge of the Bombay High Court has been proposed as Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court.

The collegium has also recommended Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi of the Allahabad High Court for appointment as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.

Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra, serving at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, has been recommended as Chief Justice of that high court.

The recommendations are part of the collegium’s exercise to fill leadership positions in the higher judiciary. The appointment process will move forward after the recommendations are considered and acted upon through the prescribed procedure.

The collegium also recommended the transfer of two high court judges.

Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak, currently posted at the Orissa High Court, has been recommended for transfer to the Gujarat High Court.

Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra, also of the Orissa High Court, has been recommended for transfer to the Chhattisgarh High Court.

The recommendations come amid the continuing process of judicial appointments and transfers across high courts, with the collegium periodically reviewing vacancies, administrative requirements and the need for effective leadership.

The Chief Justice of a high court plays a crucial administrative and judicial role, including overseeing the court’s functioning, allocating cases and coordinating with other judicial authorities.

The four proposed elevations, if approved, will bring new leadership to the Patna, Calcutta, Bombay and Punjab and Haryana High Courts, while the proposed transfers will alter the judicial assignments of two judges from the Orissa High Court.

The recommendations underline the collegium’s role in shaping the senior leadership of India’s higher judiciary.